Means to prevent gas explosions in coal-mines.



H. HALL. MEANS TO PREVENT GAS EXPLOSIONS IN GOAL MINES.

APPLICATION mum rm. 2, 1914.

1, 1 1 9 ,427, Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

I HE YPY ALL Wi ts lumen anew NT FFTCE.

HENRY HALL, OF WYLAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO V. L. METTS, OF WYLAM, ALABAMA.

MEANS TO PREVENT GAS EXPLOSIG NS IN COAL-MINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed February 2, 191%. Serial No. 816,121.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY HALL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at 'Wylam, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means to revent Gas Explosions in Coal-Mines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the prevention of gas explosions in coal mines and has for its object to introduce steam into the part or parts of the mine where gas is found to exist to render the mine gases non-explosive and carry them off and also to effectively control the temperature and consequently the air pressure so as to increase the air circulation through that part of the mine in which the g. s was found.

More particularly the object of my invention is to provide a means for the practical and economical use of steam for the prevention of explosions in mines which have split air ventilating systems wherein the main air supply course is usually the slope or main entry, and a main air return course is provided, means being provided to deflect or split portions of the air from the main supply course into distinct subdivisions of the mine, or ventilation sections, the air diverted into such units being regulated and caused to flow therethrough in the customary way and to be returned to the main air return course through which it is drawn out by the action of the exhaust fan. By means of brattices or equivalent constructions, such subdivisions or ventilation sections of the mine are disconnected, each from the others, and therefore each has its own air intake from the main air supply course and its air outlet into the main air return course.

In carrying my invention into effect in what I believe the only practical and economical manner I have taken advantage of the opportunity offered by the split air system of mine ventilation to neutralize the explosive properties in any mine gas found to exist in a subdivision or ventilation section of the mine and to drive it ofi by discharging steam into its air intake. By this arrangement it is only necessary for me to have a single steam line in the mine. from which branch pipes lead to each intake for a mine subdivision. A valve is provided in each branch pipe by means of which the fireboss or inspector of the mine can turn 1 on the steam nto the intake for any subdivision in which gas is detected. The ad- Ihave illustrated my invention in its:

preferred embodiment only in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a mine having a split air system of ventilation and pro vided with my improved apparatus for treating the mine with steam. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a section of the mine showing an air split or intake for a subdivision of the mine.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

1 have illustrated my invention in a mine having a split air system of ventilation, the mine being formally illustrated as comprising a main entry 1 which serves as the main air inlet course and with a main air return course 2 which runs parallel with the entry 1 but is separated therefrom by pillars of coal 3 and by brattices 4. As illustrated the mine is being worked in four sections or ventilation units which are respectively designated by the letters A, B, C and D. The air for section A is diverted or split from the main entry 1 through a passage or entry 5 and as will be seen in Fig. 2 this entry where it would intersect the main air return 2 is separated therefrom by an air tight arch 6, the return air passage crossing over the intake 5. The air split off to supply section A is caused to flow through the rooms in that section in the usual way until it flows back through an air return passage 7 to the air course 2. In like manner the air for the sections B, C and D is diverted through their respective intakes 5", 5 and 5 and is returned to the main air course through passages 7", 7 and 7 respectively to the air re turn course 2, the passages 7" and 7 crossing over the main entry 1. The section E at the lower end of the mine receives its air from 5 extend across the entry overhead and have their open ends disposed in the top of the intake passages. A valve 11 is provided for each branch pipe and when the valve is opened, the steam discharged through such pipe will be discharged into the intake of amine section or ventilation. unit and will be carried throughout the Workings of that section by the new of the air therethrough. The steam being lighter than air will flow along the roof where the" gas concentrates and by coinmingling therewith will destroy its explosive character and drive it out with it as it flows responsive to the draft created by the fan. 12 back into the air return course 2. In like manner the pipe 10 at the bottom of the main entry 1 is raised to a point near the roof and is provided with a valve and adapted to discharge its steam so that it will flow through the section E with the results just described. The steam pipe 8 is available to supply a steam pump where such is used or to supply water to the mine for sprinkling or cooling it.

In operation, the fire boss or mine official charged with the duty of detecting gas,

passes through the mine and where any gas is detected, as soon as the workmen leave, the valve 11 controlling the steam pipe 10 leading into the intake of such section is left open and the steam permitted to flow with the air into such section for a time determined by the Working conditions of the mine and the amount of gas existing therein.

In practice, I have found that by permitting the steam to flow freely into the intake for a few hours time, I have succeeded in effectually removing all explosive gas from such section. "When it, is desired to raise the temperature throughout the mine or any section thereof or to counteract a decreasing air pressure, the steam: can be used, and at night, after the men leave, steam can be left flowing to effectively clear out the gas from the mine and leave the temperature and air pressure therein as may be desired.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The method of ventilating, and neutralizing "the power of the explosive gases in mines of the type herein described, which consists in delivering into the air-intake the eof a supply of steam in the form of a spray, forcing a supply of external air into such air-intake by the suction action of the steam supply, and delivering the mixture of the air and steam supply into the subterranean chambers of the mine whereby an in.- creased action of the air supply will result, providing for effectively neutralizing the explosive power of the gases.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY HALL. VVitnesses:

NOMIE WELSH, Row. D. JOHNSTON, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addr sing h Commissioner of Patients,

Washington, D. G." 

